Mardi Gras celebration and clean-up underway in Soulard

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ST. LOUIS, MO (KPLR) – The race was on Saturday night to clean up the Mardi Gras celebration mess before the winter weather arrived. Mardi Gras spokesman Mack Bradley said one factor helping crews is that outdoor alcohol sales ended at 7 p.m. Saturday.

“Clean-up crews were out at 7:01 p.m.,” said Bradley.

He predicted snow and ice would definitely slow down the effort. St. Louis Metropolitan Police Major Michael Caruso encouraged drivers to stay home Sunday.

“If you don’t have to be out, stay home so our city crews can do their jobs,” said Caruso.

As of 8:00 p.m. Saturday night, St. Louis Metropolitan Police issued a total of 71 summonses. 61 of them were for minors in possession of alcohol. Caruso said one person was booked on an assault charge after getting into a fight.

“Overall, we’re very pleased,” said Caruso.

For the first time in Mardi Gras history, St. Louis police officers wore yellow, reflective jackets. Chief Sam Dotson said the idea was to make officers more visible.